I redrafted everything. Two chapters left and then the epilogue. Thanks for reading everyone!
Chapter 55: Second Time Around
"AHHH!" Takumi yelled, swinging Hikari around. "Whoo!"
Hikari laughed as Takumi lifted her high into the air.
"Don't drop her!" Misaki said, getting up from the couch.
Takumi smiled and set Hikari down. Hikari ran over to Misaki.
"Mommy's lap isn't very big," Misaki said, lifting Hikari onto her lap.
"How are you feeling?" Takumi asked, sitting next to her.
"Good," Misaki said, rubbing her stomach.
"Right," Takumi said, stroking under her eyes with his thumb. "You barely got any sleep last night."
"Did I wake you?"
"I can always tell,"
Misaki sighed. "It's your daughter kicking up a storm all night," Misaki said, glaring at him.
Takumi tried to fight a smile. "I like that," he said, pulling Hikari onto his lap. "We have Hikari, gentle and sweet. We'll have this daughter, tough and energetic." He gently kissed Misaki's stomach.
Misaki messed up Takumi's hair. "Let's see you carry a baby inside of you. See how much you like it."
"Hmm?" Hikari said, rubbing Takumi's head.
"Right, let's all mess up my hair," Takumi said, standing up.
Misaki laughed. "What time is it? We promised to meet Ruri and Sakura at the park playground."
"Oh right," Takumi said. "I'll get Hikari changed. Why don't you get her a snack?"
"Okay," Misaki said, walking into the kitchen. She pulled out a carton of blueberries and rinsed a handful off.
"Close your eyes, Misaki," Takumi called, walking down the stairs.
"Why?" Misaki asked, closing her eyes.
"You're going to love this," Takumi said, walking into the kitchen.
Misaki heard him set Hikari down.
"Open your eyes,"
"Oh my gosh…" Misaki laughed, kneeling on the ground.
Hikari was dressed in a long sleeved navy blue shirt with a striped blue and white skirt and leggings underneath. It made Misaki think of a sailor dress. Takumi also tied tiny pigtails with white elastics in her hair.
"You look so pretty," Misaki said, straightening the skirt. "Do you like it?"
Hikari held her skirt up and spun around. "Blue!" she informed them.
"Our Hikari is so smart," Misaki said, standing up. "Here, have some blueberries," she said, holding out the bowl for Hikari.
Hikari grabbed a handful and headed toward the door.
"She knows where we're going," Takumi said, shrugging on a jacket.
"Play!" Hikari called from the front door.
"Coming," Misaki replied, shouldering her purse.
Takumi got Hikari's stroller and they walked to the park.
"Misaki!" Ruri called, waving.
"Hi!" Misaki said, waving back. "Look, Hikari," she said, reaching the playground. "It's your friends!"
Takumi unbuckled Hikari and set her on the wood chips.
"Daddy?" Hikari asked, holding onto his leg.
"Come on, Princess," Takumi said, picking her up. "It's fun."
"Fun?"
"Yeah, you wanted to play, didn't you?"
"Yes..."
"Say hi Mimi," Takumi said.
"Say hi to Hikari Chan," Ruri coaxed her daughter.
Mimi waved.
"Doesn't talk yet," Ruri sighed, kissing Mimi.
"Don't worry about it," Takumi said. "Hikari is an early bloomer. A lot of toddlers don't talk well until they're two. Mimi is barely one."
"So knowledgeable," Ruri said, smiling.
"That's my husband for you," Misaki said. "You should see the entire shelf of books he has for parenting."
"That doesn't mean I agree with everything," Takumi said, standing up.
"Like what?" Tora asked.
"Like, I don't ever want to raise my voice with her," Takumi said. "I think a stern talking to will suffice."
"Wait till they're teenagers," Misaki said. "Will you still keep your cool all the time?"
"What could Hikari ever do?" Takumi asked. "She's like a little angel."
"Mimi is going to be a diva," Tora added. "You should see her at home. She has this little purse that she drags around."
"Hikari loves stuffed animals," Takumi said, nodding. "Doesn't like dolls. Has to be soft animals."
"Helloooo!" Sakura sang, walking down the sidewalk next to Kuuga who was pushing a stroller.
"Hey!" Ruri called. "You're late," she accused.
"Sorry," Sakura said. "I was throwing up everything before I could walk outside."
"Understandable," Misaki reassured her. "First trimester is always rough."
"Are you hoping for a boy or girl this time around?" Ruri asked.
"I want a girl one day," Sakura said. "But I feel this one is going to be a boy."
"Why?" Misaki asked.
"Because I feel so exhausted," Sakura said. "Just like with Shige. He kicked really hard."
"We're having another girl," Misaki said. "But she is the complete opposite of Hikari. I thought she was going to be a boy because of how much she moves around."
"Surprises, surprises," Ruri said. "I have an appointment next week. We're hoping for a boy this time around...but I wouldn't mind a girl."
"The guys all wandered away," Sakura giggled, looking around.
"They're with the kids," Misaki said, pointing to the swings.
"Three pregnant ladies again," Ruri sighed, rubbing her baby bump. "We were naturally in sync this time."
"Pure coincidence," Misaki muttered. "Takumi and I weren't trying for one. We were even using protection...well you know...until it...broke..."
"Really?!" Ruri laughed. "That one time?"
"At least we're married with a stable income," Misaki agreed. "Accidents do happen, children."
"Did you and Takumi ever do IT in high school?" Ruri asked.
"No!" Misaki exclaimed.
"How far did you go?"
"Never more than kissing," Misaki said, blushing.
"Did you ever want to go more?" Ruri asked, sitting down on the bench.
"...No,"
"That answer wasn't honest," Ruri said, stretching out her legs.
"It is honest!" Misaki said, turning red.
"Takumi was a hot teenage guy. No raging hormones?" Ruri teased.
"Okay, maybe a little sometimes if we were alone but nothing crazy," Misaki blurted out.
"I bet you had a fun wedding night," Ruri giggled. "Finally let Takumi do more than kiss you."
Misaki reminisced briefly and blushed. Back then, she had zero experience. She'd only ever been with Takumi.
"Let's go see what the guys are doing," Sakura said, standing up. "I want to walk around a bit."
They wandered over to the swings.
"Mommy!" Hikari called, waving. Takumi was gently pushing her on the swing.
"Hello!" Misaki said, walking over.
Mimi and Shige could only baby talk but communication between the three kids seemed okay. It was like they had their own baby language.
"Up," Hikari said, holding out her arms.
Takumi lifted her out of the swing and held her with one arm.
"What were you ladies so attentively discussing over there?" Kuuga asked, setting Shige on the ground.
"The future babies," Sakura explained.
"You want more?" Kuuga asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know," Sakura sighed. "Let's just take it as it comes."
"I want more!" Takumi called, lifting Hikari on her shoulders.
"Oh, be quiet," Misaki said, pinching his cheek.
"Mommy is so abusive," Takumi pouted.
"At least she doesn't smack you anymore," Tora teased.
"It's bad for the children," Misaki said, crossing her arms. "And I have simply become more patient."
Takumi pecked Misaki on the cheek. "It's a nice day," he observed. "We should get ice cream."
"Ohh, I like that idea!" Sakura agreed.
"I'm in," Ruri added. "Rose Latte?"
"Yes!" Sakura cheered, scooping up Shige. "This pregnant lady is craving ice cream."
"Let's go then," Misaki said.
Takumi set Hikari on the ground. "You walking or stroller, Princess?" he asked.
Hikari held onto Misaki's hand and started walking forward.
"She's precious," Ruri concluded, watching Hikari walk. "I love that dress too. I want to get Mimi a cute sailor dress."
"It was from the baby shower," Misaki laughed. "Hikari can finally wear it."
Hikari heard her name and perked up. "Momma?"
"Yes Hikari?"
Hikari didn't say anything but concentrated on walking. They made it down the street before Hikari stopped. Takumi buckled her into the stroller and they walked down a few more streets back to their house.
The three families met up at Rose Latte for ice cream. The waitresses there were more than happy to get high chairs and crayons for the kids.
"Ahh..." Takumi said, placing a little ice cream into Hikari's mouth.
Hikari seemed to like it. She licked her lips and opened her mouth again.
"I guess all children do like ice cream," Ruri said, giving Mimi a banana slice.
"I like ice cream," Tora said, smirking.
"Yeah, well you're not a child," Ruri teased, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Mhm..." Tora said. "Aren't you glad I'm a grown man?"
Ruri rolled her eyes. "It's not my fault. It's the hormones."
"I'm not complaining," Tora said.
"Yeah," Kuuga said. "You really shouldn't be."
"Hey," Sakura said. "I've been tired."
"I didn't say anything about you, baby," Kuuga said, licking his spoon. "You're wonderful as always."
"That just leaves Misaki," Ruri sang.
Misaki turned red. "I don't get why we must always talk about THAT," she muttered.
"Because we're all married with kids. It's perfectly normal to talk about," Ruri said with a shrug. "So...has Takumi been just a bed warmer?" she said with a glint in her eye.
"Well..." Misaki glanced over at Takumi. He was fighting a smile. "Usually he gives me a really nice massage...and one thing leads to the next..."
"So a lot," Sakura asked.
"No!" Misaki exclaimed. "Not really..." She mumbled. "I don't know!"
They all laughed.
"How has the company been?" Tora asked.
"It's been very stable," Ruri replied. "I completely trust the people we're working with."
"That's good," Tora said, nodding. "But you should have to be careful."
"Mommy," Hikari mumbled.
"Yes, baby?"
Hikari held her arms out. Misaki set her spoon on in her bowl and lifted her out of the high chair. Hikari wandered around the table.
"Don't sit down, Princess," Takumi said, holding her arm. "Dirty," he explained.
Hikari yawned.
"Uh oh," Misaki said. "Someone's tired…"
Ruri nodded. "Yeah, it's time for their second nap."
Takumi picked Hikari up. "I guess we'll see you guys around."
Hikari rested her head on Takumi's shoulder as they payed for their ice cream.
"Bye," Misaki said, waving.
"Bye!" Ruri and Sakura called from their cars.
Hikari was fast asleep by the time they got home. Takumi put her down and him and Misaki both laid on the couch.
"Tired?" he asked, stroking her hair.
"Not too bad," Misaki replied, closing her eyes.
Takumi pressed his lips to her temple. "Ever think life is just flying by?"
"I heard that's what kids do to you," Misaki replied. "They make time pass so much faster."
"Mhmm…" Takumi said, resting his cheek on the top of her head. "I just want to stay like this for a bit," he sighed. "I'm pretty tired."
"Then just go to sleep," Misaki said. "We can go upstairs."
"No," Takumi said, pulling her closer. "Let's just stay like this…"
Misaki smiled and rested her head on his chest. "If you say so…" she said, yawning.
Takumi wrapped an arm around her waist and closed his eyes. "Sleeping now…" he said, nuzzling her.
"You don't have to tell me…" Misaki muttered.
Takumi hummed a short tune. It always made Misaki sleepy when she heard it so she was asleep in no time.